Rope conveyer



A. DERUNGS.

ROPE CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAYI5,1920.

Patented Nov 15, 1921.

3 SHEETS,-SHEET l.

A. DERUNGS.

ROPE CONVEYER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 15, 1920.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Patented Nov. 15, 1921.

A. DEHUNGS.

ROPE CONVEYER. APPLICATION FI LED MAY 15, I920.

Patented Nov 15, 1921.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- ITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

:OTIS-I-PIFREyOF PARIS, EBANGE. I

norn convnvnn.

Application filed May 15,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that l, ALPHonsnDnRuNos, a citizen of France, residing at 161 Rue de Courcelles, Paris, France, have invented Improvements in or Relating to Rope Conveyers, of which the following is a clear, full, and exact description.

Wire rope systems with fixed cables employed in towing haulage and transporter plants, comprise one or more cables, or equivalent devices, secured at the ends to anchorages and resting on intermediate supports.

\Vhateverthe stresses to which-these systems are subjected, it is desirable that, on the one hand, the anchorages alone will take up the stresses acting inkthe longitudinal direction of the cables, and that, on the other hand, the intermediate supports will, as far as possible, onlyhaveto stand the vertical compression stresses, and not oblique stresses tending to subject them "to fiexion or tension. i

It is the practice to put'the cables under high permanent tension, in order to reduce to a minimum the oscillatory movement of the intermediate supports. Consequently, theinitial sag of the cables is small.

Disadvantages arise from this method of procedure, which are the more serious in proportion asthe transverse stresses onthe cables are increased and as the intermediate supports are shorter.

' In tact, every transverse stress sets up in the cables a longitudinal stress which is greater in proportion as the sag is smaller.

Ontheother hand, the shorter-the supportsthe less their flexibility, and the less are they able to lend themselves to elastic deformations capable of compensating, partiallyat least, the fluctuations of tension in the cables of two adjacent spans.

The improved device forming the subject of the presentinvention insures, in the wirerope system to which it is applied, a better distribution of the stresses, by enabling the cables to undergo certain longitudinal dis placements in relation to their intermediate supports, with the result that the stresses acting on these supports are considerably lessened and consequently supports of less strengthand' economical construction may be employed.

\Vhere the cables are subjected to transverse stresses, the new device enables a tem- Specification of Letters Patent.

1920. Serial No. 381,722.

porary elongation of the cableto he obtained in any given span bythe give of the cable in the adjacent spans, during, for example, the passage of a carriage, thatis tosay -by the drawing in of those portions'of the cable that are in the adjacent spans toward the span under consideration, in'consequenceo'f which the sag of the cable in-the span under consideration is increased for the time being, and consequently the longitudinal tension, corresponding to the said transverse stresses on the cable, isreduced as faras possible.

According to this invention'there is interposed between the cables and each-of the intermediate supports, or certain number of the-latter, a mobilesuspension device, pivoted on the support and enabling the cables to shift longitudinallyor inthe one mother direction, in relation to the support :the said suspension device comprising either a: plain or angle lever, an articulated system compcsed ot several levers, or a combination of rigid and flexible" members. a

The accompanying drawings, which are given merely by way of example, represent diagrammatically several methods of carrying outthe invention.

Figures 1, 2, 8 and 4; relate to a ropeway system comprising only a single rope. Fig. l is an elevation of one section of the line, Figs. 2, 3 and 4 being corresponding side elevations.

Figs. 5, 6, 7 and? relateto a ropeway system comprising two united ropes, Fig. 5 being an elevation, Fig. 6 asside View and Fig. 7 a plan. Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3, it will beseen that the new ropeway system. comprises intermediate supports a, arranged at intervals, at the top of which are mounted triangular suspension levers c pivoted at b. The single cable (Z is made up of a series of lengths secured tothese levers at e and flabymeans, for example, of ball joints. At the end of the line,--the cable cllis secured to fixed supports, which are not shown. It the line is very long, a certaininumber of the leversc may be rigidly attached to their. respective supports, which are strengthened tor this purpose, in order to form intermediate supports for theline.

A bracing wire 9 may be used to connect the pivotal points I) together, in order to increase the rigidity of the.system,if necessary.

Patented Nov.'1 5, 192,1.

. weight of the cable, the levers and the permanent tension of the cable are resolved, at each intermediate support, into a vertical resultant passing through the pivotal point ofsuspension b. If the tensions acting on the cable on either side of an intermediate support cease to be equal, the resultant of the stresses is inclined relatively to the vertical, but always passes through the pivotal point b,the triangular lever also inclining toward the side of the predominating tension.

If the carriage h is in the section under consideration, the members of the system take up the position indicated by the dotted lines. In consequence of the supplementary tensions introduced into this span and the adjacent spans by the carriage, the corresponding triangular levers tilt toward the carriage, and the points 6', f, turning about the pivotal point 6 take up respectively the positions e 7.

As the result of this movement, the increased tension set up in the cable (Z by the presence of the carriage in the section under consideration, is partially transmitted to the adjacent spans, in such a Way that the cable is subjected toa more powerful tension not only in that span, but also in a certain number of the adjacent spans on either side of this latter, the number of these spans varying with theconditions of the installation.

In each of the spans thus affected, the sag of the cable (Z is lessened while it is increased in the span occupied bythe carriage, the result being a considerable reduction of the supplementary tension applied to the rope in consequence of the presence of the carrlage.

The new device produces therefore the following twofold effect r a; It lessens'the reactions on the supports, by transmitting the supplementary tensions put upon the cable to the spans adjacent to the one occupied by .the carriage, and, if

occasion arises, to the nearest anchorage.

7). It reduces the value of these supplementary tensions by increasing the sag in the span occupied by the carriage.

r lVhen the carriage it draws near a support, the triangular lever tilts in the opposite direction to its first movementand assumes, very progressively, the position 6 P, which facilitates the passage of the carriage on to the arms e, f, which take the form. of suspended rails'as shown in Fig. 2.

It will be evident that the facility with which the carriage passes from one span to the next will depend on the length of the arms 6, f, that is to say on the size of the angle 6, I), f. The wider this angle, the easier the passage, but at the same time the possible amplitude of oscillation of the levers c is correspondingly reduced. In fact, this oscillation is limited to the position in which the arms 6, b and f, b are tangential to the cable; and for this limit, and in the vicinity of this limit, the cable tension is transmitted almost completely to the support, which then necessitates the-provision. of bracing wires such asg.

The increased sag produced by the presence ofthecarriage in one of the spans is greater in proportion as the amplitude of oscillation of the levers c is augmented, that is to say as the anglee, o, f is smaller.

Consequently, for each installation, it is necessary to select for the angle 0, b, 7 a value lying between the two limits resulting from .theforegoing consideration, so that the carriage may pass easily from one span to the other and a sufficient increase in the sag can be obtained.

Fig. 2 shows the passage of the carriage on the rail 6, f, on the right of a support. V

Fig. 3 shows thecarriage running on the cable between two supports.

InFig. 4 the carriage is subjected to a transverse pull exerted by a tow cable 1', as in certain towings or haulage. In this case the levers 0 should be attached to their supports by pivots Z2, allowing of oscillation about two perpendicular axes, as in Cardan joints, or any other equivalent device.

In Fig. 4 the carriage being towed and being subjected to the transverse pull of the tow cable, tilts sidewise,as do also the levers c. The cable leaves the vertical plane of repose, and its sag is determined not only by the weight of the carriage, but also by the oblique pull of the tow cable, It w1ll be evident that, in thiscase, the sag in question may attain considerable dimensions. a

In the modification illustrated by Figs, 5, 6, 7, the carriage or tractor h is not'carried by the cable, but runs either directly on the ground or on a suitable track, andpropels itself by hauling on a taut fixed cable 7, while a second cable (Z, supports an auxiliary carriage or traveler j. v v

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the tractor tows, for example, a boat 72 by means of a cable 5 connected to the traveler This latter ,transmitstothe cable cl the greater portion of the transverse pull due to the obliquity of the tow cable. The portion of the cable between the. traveler j and the tractor or carriage h may be of sufficient igce'nsee length to make a very small angle with the direction of the cable g, that is to say to make the transverse pull on the tractor very small.

This method'of carrying out the invention necessitates the use of a double system of cables and oscillating levers,"similar to that described above, but superimposed and united.

A first'system is constitutedby a cable 9 and by levers 0 adapted to oscillate about the ball joints I which connect them with the standards at The cable 9 is securedto the end of each lever by a pivot b, the other end of the lever acting as the axis of a loose pulley m.

The second system is constituted by the cable (I and triangular lever n adapted to oscillate on pivots'b. Each of these triangular levers carries'a track rail 0 resting on the corresponding pulley m.

The cable d consists of a series of lengths secured to the points 0 f of the levers a, with or Without pivots.

The cable .9 isstretched taut, andthe sags are very slight,"that is to say the movements of oscillation'of the pivoted points?) are of only slight amplitude. The cable in this case supports practically no transverse stresses beyond its own weight but on the other'hand,'it has to Withstand its permanent tension, increase dby the longitudinal propulsion stress ofthetractor.

The cable (Z is subjected to a permanent tension appreciably smaller than that of the cable g. Under the action of the transverse stresses transmitted toit by the traveler it may sag temporarily to a considerable degree, that is to say, the movements of oscillation ofthe triangular levers a will be of large amplitude.

As in the case of the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, the levers a comprise a rail e, f on which the traveler runs in passing from one span to the next.

It will be evident that this arrangement of united cables presents the two-fold advantages of reducing the tensions on the cables to a minimum, and also reducing to a minimum the stresses applied to the intermediate supports, these latter having, in the case of the construction shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, 7, merely to hold the cables at the desired height.

When the installation is at rest, the levers c and a, turning about the pivot Z, continue to move until they come into contact with the edge of the supports a, so as to reduce the amount of space taken up by the installation.

Another manifest advantage of this arrangement is to permit the use of low supports, set very far apart, since the sag of the cable (Z is not large, except When it is subjeted to the action of the traveler, and that in this 'case' the -sagincreases in the horizontal direction.

Moreover, it should be noted that the'aggregation of cables and levers constitutes an elastic shock absorber, in which the effect'ot' sudden fluctuations of stress is diminished and absorbed by the combined eitect of the oscillation of the levers and the automatic equalization of the sag and tension 'o'f'the cables under the effect of their own Weight in the different spans.

Finally, it should also be noted that the two united systems described above, with reference to l 5, 6, 7, 7 may be employed separately.

Assuming that the'contact of the tractor with the ground or the tlElCk' glVESlt sulficient adhesion. it will be' very evident that the cable-y and the levers 0 can be dispensed with. The supports are then placed directly underneath the points ot:oscillationl and the system willthencompmse only the cable (Z and the triangular levers a, whicl1,-wheii.

in repose vill rest against the supports a or be supported by a bracket, of any kind, fixed to the support anclrari sing a rail track for the pulleym."

This simplified device-"preserves the advantage of relieving the tractor from: nearly the whole of the transversepull due to the obliquity of the tow-cable which tends to pull it towardthe canal. Ituis speciallyapplicable' to the case 'ofmotor tractors running on thetow path or on "a traclcparallel with the canal; I i

Ifio'n the other hand, the tractor 7t,=running on a suitabletrack, is able to Withstand the transverse pull due to the obliquity o'f'the tow cable,-but is unable topropel itseltby simple adhesion'to said track, the system comprising-the cable (l and the levers n may be suppressed together with the traveler 1'.

Only the system constituted by the cable and the levers c, pivoted at Z on the supports a, is retained with the exception that the pulleys m are no longer needed.

The second simplified device finds ap plication for draft and in certain haulage plants.

It is to be understood that the fluctuations in the sag of the cable cl, in the case of the construction illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7 are produced in the same manner as in the case of the construction illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, l, and that the system constituted by the cable 9 and the levers c is only a variation of the general case in which is found integrally the fundamental principle of the invention, consisting in interposing between the cable and its supports, a suspension device comprising a lever, or system of levers, articulated and adapted to turn in any direction, so as to lessen the strain both on the cable and on its supports.

- modified.

Claims 1. In a wire rope system, supports, levers pivoted on these supports, lengths of cable connecting these levers, a carriage running on the length of cable.

2. In a wire rope system, supports, triangular leverspivoted on these supports, length of cable connecting these levers, a carriage running on the length of cable.

3. In a wire rope system, supports, levers pivoted on these supports, lengths of cable connecting these levers, ball joints constituting the attachment of, the said cable lengths and levers, a carriage running on the lengths of cable. I

4. In a wire rope system, supports, levers pivoted on these supports, lengths of cable connecting these levers, a carriage running on the lengths of cable, a second cable connecting the articulations.

In a wire rope system, supports, articu lations on these supports, levers rocking on these articulations, lengths'of cable connectingthese levers,,a carriage running on these lengths ofcable, a second cable, levers carrying this second cable.- v r 6. In a wirerope system,supports, articulat-ions on these supports, levers rocking on these articulations, lengths of cable connecting these levers, a carriage running on these lengths of cable, a second cable, levers carrying this second cable, and'rocking on ball joints carried by the supports. 7. In a wire rope system, supports, articulations on these supports, levers rocking on these articulations, lengths of cable connecting these levers, a carriage running on these lengths of cable, a second cable, levers carry ing this second cable, and articulations com-- mon to both cables.

8. In a wire cable system, supports, articulations on these supports, triangular levers rocking on these articulations, lengths of cable connecting these levers, a carriage running on these cables, a second cable, levers carrying this second cable. 7

9. In a wire rope system, supports, articulations on these supports, levers rocking on these articulations, lengths of'cable connecting these levers, carriage running on these lengths of cable, a second cable, levers carrying this second cable, running rollers carried by one of the series of levers, and track rails carried by the other levers.

10. I11 a wire rope system, two conjugate cables, one of these cables taking up the low gitudinal stresses and the other the trans verse stresses, supports, and a combination of articulated levers connecting these cables to the said supports. 11. In a wire rope system, two conjugate cables, one of these cables taking up the lon- I gitudinal stresses" and the other the transverse stresses, supports, a combination of articulated levers connecting these cables to the said supports, and a carriage running on one of these cables.- 12. In a wirerope system, two conjugate cables, one of these cables taking up the longitudinalstresses and the other the transverse stresses, supports, a, combination of articulated levers connecting these cables to I the said supports, and a carriage running on one of these cables, atractor bearing on the other cable. 7 V

The foregoing specification of my improveinents in or relating to rope conveyers,

signed by me, this 28th day of October 1919.

ALPHONSE DERUNGS. 

